Just off the Tramadol...

[AGreatPerhaps]

So maybe it's a stupid question to ask, but I figured I may as well since I'm seeing a doctor tomorrow. They almost never do anything, but sometimes they obviously do... and this time, I don't want to be caught off guard, mess up, do something stupid. I have severe pain for... I have no idea what reason. It's been five years, progressively worsening symptoms, and doctors mostly don't care, so no diagnosis, next to no treatment... and no real decent treatment at all. So since I see so many people here talking about painkiller addiction, I thought it'd be best to ask here, though it may be a bit out of place. I've always been a fan of opiates. Not for abuse potential, because they WORK. I've been in a lot of pain for a long time, even prescription doses of OTC stuff stopped working a while ago. Tramadol was the exception, which is mainly why I had issues with it... it didn't work, ever, but it was all I had, and so I increased my own dose until it took the edge off my pain, just enough to function so I could graduate high school. Not... the smartest idea I ever had, but then... I'm seventeen, I was told it was "non-addictive and safe", I've been in severe pain for years, and I just wanted to accomplish ONE thing in my freakin' life, so sue me. I realize it wasn't smart. And I'm dealing with it accordingly.  What I am wondering now though, is if anyone has ever had any luck with using strong painkillers as prescribed after coming off something like that. Odd question. I've gotten a few scripts in ERs and minors meds for stronger things on and off, and it had never ever crossed my mind to take more than directed and those scripts could do me a few weeks even though they were for ten or so, because I have been in a lot of pain for a very long time, so I deal very well. Even with the tramadol, I was only taking it to be able to get up and sit through school sessions so I could graduate, once a day, twice a week for a few months because my pain had quite literally become crippling and that was what it took to get me through, but withdrawal and all, I only took it on those days. And I didn't at all like doing that. Since I stopped, I've withdrawn, but I haven't craved it, or even considered taking it. So while I'm not implying I'm any better than anyone else, because I know that no one ever wants any of this, my addiction is not what appears to be typical for most people. I don't know if that changes anything, or not, though. So like I said, I would like to know if anyone has any success with using strong potentially addictive painkillers as directed after being physically addicted to a similar medication? Do you think it would be stupid of me to accept that kind of script if it was offered to me? (I highly doubt it will be, but I would like to be prepared.) Has anyone with severe chronic pain found anything non-narcotic, but that is prescription-only that will work for their pain?

I wouldn't bother asking so soon after if I wasn't going to the doctor tomorrow. It's hardly a priority for me to get something addictive back in my life right now, I don't mean for this to come off that way. Simply that I'm going to the doctor tomorrow, and I may as well be prepared, or find some alternate ideas or something.

I mean, I'm seventeen going on eighteen. One GOOD days, I can walk short distances now, with a cane, but not without wanting to scream or cry. I do have a high pain tolerance. But I have no diagnosis, and doctors have sort of just shuffled me around between them and ignored my case mostly, every now and then giving me something to treat an odd symptom here or there, but without a diagnosis, whatever I have has been allowed to progress for five years, undeterred, because treating the symptoms doesn't stop whatever is causing them. So it's been allowed to get pretty bad. And I know sometimes that's just the way things go, but it's really no kind of life to live at my age. I sort of lost everything to being sick. And I mean, fresh out of high school, summer, it's seventeen. Everyone else is having a blast, going on vacations, shopping, to movies, the beach, and all that. I've spent most of my time trying to figure out how to fix the tramadol mess and then doing that all on my own. And just being sick because my body is falling apart. =/ It's sort of depressing. I have a lot of other issues, too but I feel like if I wasn't in so much pain, I could get so much back. And then... I wonder now because the strongest thing I ever got long term was the most volatile thing I've ever had in my body and didn't even touch my pain at the starting dose anyway. And then OTC painkillers stopped working, and a couple of prescription things, like meloxicam didn't even take the edge off either, so I really am starting to wonder if I simply can't win, if I will just have to always be in severe pain. So that's why I thought I'd ask. I'd appreciate any advice. I realize a lot of people who get addicted to opiates are people who actually have chronic pain. I also realize not all are, obviously. That makes enough sense. But some are, and so I thought it'd be the best place to get the most honest and dependable answers about this type of question.

[worried878]

I remember when my pain began.  I was 26, and life hasnt been the same since.  People who wake up pain free everyday, take it for granted.  I appreciate a day or 2 here and there that are "good" days.  It took me a long time to accept that some things can not be fixed and it was a rude awakening that took me a long time to adjust to....but u do with time
I tried surgery, procedures, u name it i tried it.  Ends up that being an addict doesnt solve it either!  Now I Manage it...i know it wont go away.  Yoga, chiropractic, muscle relaxers when needed, injections, massage, heat and ice, anti-inflammatories and prayer

What doesnt beat u down only makes u stronger....not a very comforting statement for someone in pain...but we gotta find the light in life while we can cos life is short.  So we just do the best we can with what we have to work with

keep posting

[thisisreallygettingold]

First off, you are not a failure. You did what most on here could not, and that is take it as prescribed. I couldn't do it. But your question is very tricky, because its sounds like the bigger issue for you is getting the Dr. to listen. But you were getting addicted to pills if you had withdrawals, so very tough question. My advice is the your tell your everything you said on here, if they don't listen, go to another. I will pray for you. God bless